Rising mixed martial arts star Aaron Pico has shared some words of wisdom with Gable Steveson regarding how to bounce back from his very first knockout defeat.
During UFC 331, Steveson was on the receiving end of one of the most shocking upsets in modern MMA history. A devastating knockout by Sean Sharaf dealt a significant blow to his aspirations of claiming UFC gold.
In the wake of that match, opinions have been divided on what lies ahead for Steveson. While certain observers have written him off, many remain curious to discover how far he can go in the heavyweight weight class.
Speaking in a recent interview, Aaron Pico—who knows a thing or two about dealing with unexpected setbacks—offered his perspective on Steveson’s current predicament.
Pico Offers Guidance to Steveson
“To be completely frank, it is incredibly painful,” Pico stated during his appearance on MMA Junkie Radio. “However, I have experienced that pain myself, even though everyone processes defeat differently. I am not deeply acquainted with Gable, though we share coaches and move in similar circles. Still, I can share my own reaction after suffering a major defeat on a massive platform like the UFC. I co-headlined a major card featuring Khamzat right away and ended up getting brutally knocked out.
“My approach—and again, everyone has their own way—was to step away entirely for a few months. I traveled globally with my family, enjoyed quite a few cigars (which I am a fan of), and spent time reflecting deeply. I evaluated my mistakes, the adjustments I needed to make, and asked myself if this was still my true calling. The response in my heart was a resounding yes, so I returned to the gym.
“It is crucial to tune out the external chatter. I kept my circle tight with people who genuinely support me and engaged in some very candid discussions, particularly with my dad. Your father is often the only person who will give you the unvarnished truth. Through those conversations with him, I identified the gaps in my skill set and dedicated myself to correcting them.
“It may sound basic, but that is the path. It resembles how we handled losses as young wrestlers: you lose on a Saturday and you are back on the mats by Monday. Granted, professional MMA is different due to the immense media scrutiny and social media pressure today. There are constant distractions and opinions, but if your heart is truly in this sport, you have to get back to the training room and put in the work.”
Statements originally provided to MMA Junkie
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This piece was originally published on BJPENN.COM
